August 11, 2022
South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto has called on the Federal Government to “step up” and address the health issues in rural areas.
He said neither side of politics had treated the shortage of GPs in rural areas seriously.
In a statement released after the LNP’s “hospital crisis” public meeting in Kingaroy on Tuesday, Mayor Otto said Council had been working on the issue of attracting medical personnel to the South Burnett,
“Council has played a proactive role in developing positive solutions to enhance health services across the South Burnett on a number of fronts for some time now,” he said.
“Council maintains a close connection with the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service through chairman Mike Horan and CEO Annette Scott.
“What we do know is that health services across the region are under significant pressure, with the inability to attract qualified staff into the South Burnett a major factor.
“COVID and the restrictions on entry to overseas doctors have created a real labour supply problem across the board. Add to this the desire by most health professionals to live in cities and coastal locations, and rural areas face a real challenge in filling positions.”
Mayor Otto said that Council has been working to improve the “liveability” of the region through projects such as the Kingaroy Transformation Project and other CBD and parkland re-developments in a bid to attract qualified people who would choose the South Burnett as a desirable location.
“The shortage in rural GPs has been a problem for some years now,” the Mayor said.
“This is only increasing the pressure on our hospital system. To date, neither side of politics has taken this issue seriously, with the Medicare rebate being frozen over a decade ago.
“It’s time that Federal politicians stood up and addressed the issue.”
Mayor Otto said he had recently forwarded a letter from long-serving local GP, Dr Graham McAllister, to the Federal Government, raising the underlying issues and putting forward potential solutions.
“I am hopeful the new Federal Government will step up,” Mayor Otto said.
“What we need now is for all sides of politics and all levels of government to work together in implementing positive solutions for better health outcomes in our community.”
Cr Danita Potter, who also attended the public meeting, said Council understood that Kingaroy Hospital was under great strain due to staffing issues.
“We have been working on the core issue of attracting medical personnel here,” she said.
“Most choose to go to Brisbane and Toowoomba – we have to get the message out about the advantages of living in the South Burnett.”
- Related article: Qld Hospitals In Crisis: LNP
